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    magicbaldguy
    Feb 06, 2018

    Licks in alternate keys

    in Music Theory

    When you're playing a song in the key of C, any lick that works in C will also work in G (V) without transposing. But when you play in F (IV), you have to play your licks in the key of F. Whats the rule for the other tones of the scale (ii, iii, vi, vii)?

    2 comments
    arthurmigliazza
    Mar 26, 2018

    Great question! A little background info first for newcomers..


    When we play a Blues progression "in the key of _____", keep in mind that each chord change (the I, IV, and V) are essentially each in different key signatures. Playing a blues "in the key of C" for example, only means that the chord changes are based off of the key of C ... the I chord = C; the IV chord = F, the V chord = G. The "key signature", however, changes for each chord change, so you are essentially playing in 3 different keys when you play a blues progression. Hardly any blues player thinks of it like this, but this is what is happening.


    Example: I chord = C7 (you have one flat - Bb) / IV chord = F7 (you have two flats - Bb, Eb) / V chord = G7 (you have no flats)


    In other words, if you want to play the scale that the F7 chord derives from, it is a Bb major scale (starting on F and going to the next F). Try this by playing an F7 chord in your left hand, and playing the Bb major scale in the right hand (but start on F instead of Bb).


    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    There are two approaches to playing licks throughout a blues progression:


    1) Physically pick up your hand and move the same voicing of the lick to the new chord. Example: In a Blues in C, on the I chord, Lick #1 starts with C in the thumb. On the IV chord it will start with F in the thumb. On the V chord it will start with G in the thumb.


    2) Alter the lick and stay in the same position on the keyboard, throughout all the chords of the blues progression. Example for Blues in C: Lick #1, play as is over the I chord / play as is over the IV chord but play an Eb instead of E natural (in other words, flat the 3rd) / play as is in the C position over the V chord (in other words, your left hand will play the bass on G, but your right hand will play the lick as it would over the C chord).


    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Okay, now getting to your question. These little "tricks" can only be generalized as a rule for a standard 3-chord blues progression. HOWEVER, if you are playing older "pop" blues from the 1920's which have a lot of chord changes, or any kind of other genre like pop tunes (Georgia on My Mind) or New Orleans R&B tunes, or Jazz / Swing tunes ... then you will run into the other chords you have mentioned.


    There are no tricks for playing over these chords that I know of. However, if you listen to what other people do over these chords (especially minor chords) you will find it's mostly scale based (Lick #7 or #8). Lick #7 (and any licks you derive from that major blues scale) will work nicely over diatonic iii - vi - ii - V chord progressions (remember, lower case roman numerals mean minor chords).


    Often times, there will also be a "common tone" that will sound good over many chord changes. For instance you can sustain a rolling C octave in your right hand, while your left hand walks through C - Amin - Dmin - G7 - C

    0
    Philip Bedingfield
    Jun 29, 2020

    Could you create a place on the site where we can crowdsource everyone's suggested fingerings in all 12 keys for each of the 8 licks? Maybe with the ability for students to up vote the best suggestions? Make it so much quicker than trial and error.

    0
    2 comments

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